By KT Reporter
Residents of Dodoth East County in Kaabong District are appealing to the district health authorities to allocate an ambulance to their area ahead of the budgeting cycle.
The county, which comprises the Loyoro, Sidok, and Lolelia sub-counties, has long struggled with bureaucratic delays in accessing emergency health care, particularly when people are injured by wild animals or when expectant mothers develop complications during childbirth.
John Bosco Lokiru, the Loyoro Sub County LC3 Chairperson, recounted a 2023 incident where a police officer attached to Loyoro Police Station was shot by armed criminals along the Kotido–Loyoro road.
Despite efforts to secure an ambulance, authorities were unable to access one in time, forcing them to seek alternative means to transport the injured officer to Kaabong General Hospital, about 15 kilometers away.
Trinta Teddy Achayo, a resident of Loyoro, described the situation as even more challenging during the rainy season. She noted that expectant mothers facing complications are often forced to rely on boda bodas, which pose significant risks.
Abura Lina, the councilor for Longaroe Parish in Sidok Sub County, added that victims of motor and wildlife accidents often have to hire boda bodas to reach medical facilities.
Joseph Lokuru Okocha, the LC5 councilor for Sidok Sub County, urged the district health authorities to station an ambulance at Kopoth Health Center III, located about 20 kilometers from Kaabong Hospital and centrally positioned to serve Loyoro and Lolelia. He argued that this would improve access to emergency health care.
However, Dr. Sharif Nalibe, the Kaabong District Health Officer, acknowledged the bureaucratic delays in accessing emergency health services but attributed the issue to patients bypassing proper referral procedures.
Dr. Nalibe explained that many residents call local leaders instead of first reporting to the nearest health center, which disrupts the ambulance dispatch process. He emphasized that all district ambulances are functional and urged patients to report to Health Center IIs and IIIs, which can then call for ambulances to facilitate referrals-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
